An Elegant Garden Wedding at Thomas Bennett House in Charleston, South Carolina

Katie Morton (29 and a lawyer) and Derick Thranhardt (29 and an IT salesman) met during their last year of college through a common friend. Over the course of several years, law school, dating other people and a spontaneous trip to Costa Rica, their friendship slowly evolved into much more. Katie and Derick hosted an elegant garden wedding with a laid-back feel echoing the decor from the elaborate proposal that Derick had executed in their new home. “We knew at the end of the day we'd be just as married as we would if something went wrong with the planning, so that put us at ease,” Katie says. Blooming white hydrangeas were used everywhere, navy linens covered the tables, and twinkling cafe lights illuminated the night under the clear-top tent. The lush gardens of Thomas Bennett House, lined with century-old oaks covered in billowing Spanish moss, offered Katie and Derick breathtaking decor for their garden ceremony and reception. Staying true to low-country Charleston, South Carolina, culture, the menu included an extensive raw bar while also including local seafood in paella. “The cake was pretty amazing,” Katie says. “We had several flavors, including yellow almond with key lime mousse and graham cracker filling, strawberry pound cake with cream cheese filling and hummingbird, and the backup sheet cakes were banana chocolate chip and lemon with buttercream icing.” Staying true to the classic color scheme, the bridesmaids wore navy blue J.Crew dresses and carried verdant bouquets of hydrangeas, while the men’s boutonnieres of peach ranunculus elegantly contrasted their streamlined gray suits. Katie’s chic lace fit-and-flare dress looked stunning and was comfortable enough for her to enjoy the big day. “For the last hour of the reception, we just cut a rug, and it was fabulous.” —Juliette Cheatham